Size seems to matter in Kerry-Bush debate

Reuters ^ | Tue, Sep 28, 2004

[presidio9]

When it comes to presidential debates, it seems size does matter.

John Kerry, a 6-foot-4-inch Democrat, poked fun on Monday at George W. Bush, the 5-foot-11-inch Republican president for reportedly insisting that podiums be set far apart to offset his opponent's five-inch height advantage.

The Massachusetts senator told a town hall meeting in Spring Green -- where he is rehearsing -- that voters should not be afraid of changing commanders in chief in the midst of war with Iraq and the battle against terror.

"You know when your horse is headed down toward the waterfalls or when your horse is drowning, it's a good time to change horses in midstream," Kerry said.

After a pause, he added: "May I also suggest that we need a taller horse? We could get through deeper waters that way."

Bush and Kerry face each other for the first time on Thursday in Coral Gables, Florida, where they will debate foreign policy and homeland security. Two more will be held next month before Americans vote on November 2.

The two camps have negotiated an elaborate 32-page set of rules, including whether they sit or stand, how much they can move around, and precisely how long they have to answer questions.

[N. Theknow]

Size matters?

In poker terms, that means President Bush's pair beats Kerry's pair.

[Natural Law]

6'4"? I didn't know you could stack shit that high!

[Colonel_Flagg]

The Kerry team also wanted the temps set in the mid 60's 'cause Tall Horse is big on perspiration.

Rode hard and put away wet.

[LexBaird]

Heh. Great minds...

[Colonel_Flagg]

I remember that too and loved it. Didn't GW give a little smirk and then turn back to speaking?

He nodded at Gore and went right back to what he was saying.

[cubreporter]

Take off 6-7 inches for his hair,,,that;ll bring him down

[numberonepal]

Hey Horseface! I'm 5'8" tall and I bet I could have you stammering within 3 minutes in a face to face debate, or if you like, I'd make you cry in less than 30 seconds man to man. Bring it on you pussy metro.

[presidio9]

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

[dennisw]

The funniest part is Kerry's handlers must be going at it furiously, trying to scrub that fake bronze tan off of his face. Must have had a bad reaction with his BOTOX injections gotten up there during this four day goof off. Kerry is wasted and desperately trying to recharge his batteries.

[Steve_Seattle]

5'11 is the NORMAL size for a MAN. Kerry is abnormal.

I think the American [male] average is about 5'9, so Bush is taller than the norm. I am 6'1 and was surprised the other day when four men walked out of an elevator together who were all as tall or taller than me. That is very unusual.

[Grampa Dave]

I wasn't aware of the ADD potential of Marfans until a doctor friend emailed me that description.

Kerry is tall, lanky and has very long and weird looking fingers.

[Polybius]

John Kerry, a 6-foot-4-inch Democrat, poked fun on Monday at George W. Bush, the 5-foot-11-inch Republican president for reportedly insisting that podiums be set far apart to offset his opponent's five-inch height advantage.

The Kerry camp insisted that the temperature be below 70 degree because Kerry sweats too much under studio lights and focus groups showed that "women don't like sweaters".

[Titan Magroyne]

I can only think of one situation when another 5 inches makes a difference... bend over, America!

[gop_gene]

I figured Kerry for 6'4" even before I knew his height (I'm quite good at figuring heights excepting if the person is a midget or a giant), but if you ask me, it's not really an asset. Sure, he's tall, but not "nice" tall--he's gangly and ungainly-appearing. Not strappingly tall like John Wayne, not athletic-tall like Errol Flynn, not rangy-tall like Gary Cooper, not suavely-tall like Cary Grant. He's just . . . awkward.

[gop_gene]

OK. Kerry's taller and thinks he has better hair. And that's all he's got.

Better hair? That's debatable--the first time I saw him I thought it was a poufy wig plopped atop his head. I'm not joking!

[gop_gene]

Is Bush really 5'11"? I though he was over 6'

I'm pretty sure he's actually 5'11 1/2", but trust it to our friendly press to round it off to 5'11 instead of 6'.

[Crispy]

Kerry: My opponent obviously feels insecure about his measily 5'11" height

Bush: Yes, I feel insecure. Not only do you tower over me by a full 5 inches, you also have a better "tan" than I! (while bush holds up the the double quote symbol with his hands while saying "tan".)

[freestyle]

Perfect timing jerk.

We need a taller horse? I think Kerry is trying out for the wrong job.
(Leno/Conan 2009)

[nopardons]

Presidents Adams(both) and Madison were quite tiny(short)men.So was Harry Truman,for that matter.

OTOH,Clinton is also something like 6'4".The height of a president doesn't mean that he's "better".